Evening star. [volume], January 26, 1940, Image 1

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
Weother Forecast
Fair and continued cold tonight, tomor- Fefnkltelinel In lBO
row and tomorrow night; warmer Sun* CSioullSneO In lOJI
day and Monday; lowest tonight about 8. .. „
Temperatures todav-Highest. 20, at 1 Wost Pe0Ple ln Washington have The
p m.; lowest, 11, at 7:45 a m.; 19 at 2 p.m. Star delivered to their homes every
From the United States Weather Bureau report. evening and Sunday morning
Full details nn Page A-2. j
Closing New York Markets. Page 16. _
—--—__ ______ vr) Means Associated Press.
88th YEAR. No, 34,968._WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1940—FORTY PAGES. **** THREE CENTS.
Wheeler Asks
3d-Term Answer
'To Save Parly'
Disaster Seen
Unless President
Ends the Guessing
By the Associated Press.
COLUMBUS. Ohio. January 26.—
To prevent party disaster. Presi
dent Roosevelt should declare im
mediately his third-term intention,
Senator Wheeler, Democrat, of Mon
tana asserted today.
“The longer the situation runs,
the more chaotic conditions within
the party become," the Montanan
told a press conference. "It can
only lead to disaster if the con
fusion continues up to the time of
the convention."
At the White House press con
ference today. President Roose
velt once more turned aside
third-term inquiries, including a
request for comment on John L.
T.PXViR* nrpriirtinn nf “iimnminnnc
defeat” if he became a 1940 can
didate. Mr. Roosevelt asked re
porters to give one good reason
why he should answer the in
quiry. One reporter suggested
it would make good copy. “Well,
there's your answer,” the Presi
dent said.
Senator Wheeler, who came here
to address the United Mine Work
ers' Convention, only smiled when
asked if he aspired to the presi
dency Many political observers be
lieve he will be indorsed by U. M.
W.'s president Lewis.
“Can Have Nomination."
Senator Wheeler said Mr. Roose
velt could have a third-term nomi
nation if he wanted it, adding:
‘Any President of the United
States can renominate himself if
he wants to. The Federal Govern
ment has too large an organization
and too mu:h patronage for any one
to overcome it. It has always been
true that a President could renomi
nate himself and the Government
today is larger than at any time in
history.’
Senator Wheeler said he would
support President Roosevelt despite
personal opposition to breaking a
third-term tradition.
However, it is unlikely Mr. Roose
velt will seek the nomination, Mr.
Wheeler added.
Sees Yandenberg the Candidate.
Senator Vandenberg of Michigan
was Mr. Wheeler's "guess” as the
Republicans' likely presidential
nominee. He also said he knew of
no Democrat or Republican presi
dential aspirant, including Senator
Taft. Republican, of Ohio, who w-ould
not be glad to have Mr. Lewis' sup
1.
“I would be happy to have the
support of Mr. Lewis and any one
else interested in preserving democ
racy in this country," Mr. Wheeler
continued.
He took exception to Mr. Lewis'
statement Wednesday that the
Democratic party had failed to keep
faith with labor. The Montanan
observed Democrats had done more
for the working man than any other
party". This, he said, was despite the
fact “they have not solved the un
employment situation and a lot of
other economic questions yet.”
Denies He’s a Dictator.
Before the convention today Mr
Lewis ridiculed accusations that he
was a dictator. This remark was
prompted when the Appeals and
Grievance Committee reported that
it had no complaints for the con
vention to referee.
"A most remarkable report,” Mr.
Lewis commented. “Every one of our
600.000 members has the right of ap
peal to the convention, but only
one complaint was made, and it
was withdrawn after the com
plainant talked with the committee.
“The press reports that the United
Mine Workers has a dictatorship.
Yet here is a situation in which no
complaints were filed. Is that
democracy?
"The votes of 2,400 delegates thus
show that peace and tranquillity
prevail ii the United Mine Workers.
“I commend this report to the
New York Herald-Tribune, the
Chicago Tribune, the Scnpps-How
ard Newspapers and various other
publications. They are utterly con
vinced that the terrible and ruth
less John Lewis was inconsiderate
of the rights of his members."
Communist Flag Unfurled.
Senator Wheeler's appearance
portended more drama for conven
tion delegates still angry over
the “dastardly trick" of a prank
ster, who unfurled a Communist
£ag on the stage while Mr. Lewis
troc cnooUnrr
Yesterday's flag incident, while re
garded as an attempt to embarrass
the U. M. W. politically, may have
benefitted Mr. Lewis, his friend
said.
It provided a perfect setting for
the C. I. O. leader again to deny
accusations that his organization
is inhabited by Communists.
A Nation-wide broadcast was in
progress, commemorating the found
ing of the U. M. W. 50 years ago. Mr.
Lewis was speaking. Suddenly, from
the stage aloft, a huge red banner
with a hammer and sickle was low
ered above the speaker's head.
Startled delegates rose to their
fpet and shouted: "Tear it down”
The banner was removed while
miners milled about, muttering
angry protests.
Mr. Lewis, visibly shaken, com
pleted the broadcast, restored order
and said:
“It appears that someone has
'See LEWIS~Page A-4J
Norwegian Freighter
Abandoned in Heavy Sea
By the Associated Press.
TOKIO, Jan. 26.—The newspaper
Asahi reported that the captain and
crew of 30 of the Norwegian freight
er Fu Yuang. 3.350 tons, took to life
boats today when their vessel was
battered by h°avy seas about 200
miles southwest of here. An SOS
was sent out by the ship, en route
from the South Seas to Yokohama.
Revolution in White House!
President Gives Up Tophat for Homburg
Except for Very, Very Formal Events
By J. RUSSELL YOUNG.
There’s at least one White House
hat that won't be tossed in the ring
—the President’s high silk topper,
which he has virtually abandoned in
favor of a Homburg.
The Anthony Eden influence in
hat style penetrated the White
House fashion parade several days
ago and it was learned today that
President Roosevelt has decided to
give up the top hat except for ex
tremely formal occasions.
The President’s secretaries. Brig.
Gen. Edwin M. Watson and Stephen
Early, were instrumental in' giving
the President's topper to the White
House moths—or mothballs—when
they presented Mr. Roosevelt a new
black Homburg and, without much
objection on his part, persuaded him
to wear it to the Birthday Ball
Horse Show last night at Fort Myer.
Now the President is sold. He al
ways had expressed a dislike for the
Fighting for Finland
Held No Impairment
Of U. S. Citizenship
President Says Swearing
Allegiance, However,
Is Expatriation
By GARNETT D. HORNER.
President Roosevelt said today
that an American who enlisted in
a foreign army would not lose his
citizenship unless he took an oath
of allegiance to the foreign nation.
The President quoted at his press
conference from an informal opinion
by the Attorney General which also
pointed out that it was against the
law to enlist or solicit enlistments
in a foreign army within the United
States, but that, naturally, this law
did not apply outside this country's
jurisdiction.
Questions concerning the status of
Americans fighting with foreign
armies arose at Mr. Roosevelt's press
conference this morning in connec
tion with reports that large numbers
of Americans are seeking to volun
teer for fighting with the Finns.
(Later a spokesman at the Fin
nish Legation said there had
been numerous inquiries there by
would-be volunteers, but that the
Legation had confined itself to
porting out to inquiries the pro
visions of the American law
which forbid enlistments or so
licitation of enlistments in for
dinner ucic.
The Finnish Military Attache
said volunteers in the Finnish
Army do not have to take an
oath of allegiance to the country
but must give an assurance that
they will obey the military
authorities.)
A reporter at the press conference
said he recently had visited the
Finnish Legation here and noticed
an American aviator offering to en
list in the service of Finland.
President Undecided.
The President said he would have
to have more facts before he could
determine whether such an incident
might represent operation of an en
listment service.
If the American merely was ask
ing for information on where he
might enlist, the Chief Executive
asserted, there was nothing wrong.
But if the Legation was inviting
Americans to enlist, it was a differ
ent story.
Not a Belligrant.
To a question whether Fin
land was classed as a belliger
ent country. Mr. Roosevelt re
sponded in the negative and said
that raised another question
which he had not yet got around
to. He did not amplify.
The Attorney General's opinion
said an American enlisting in a
foreign army, navy or air force
would expatriate himself only if the
terms of the enlistment required him
to take an oath of allegiance.
President Roosevelt joked with re
1 porters about the question. He said
; he had obtained a memorandum
opinion from the Attorney General
of the matter last September, when
war broke out in Europe, and had
kept the opinion in his desk, antici
, pating a question about it at one of
his press conferences long ago. He
| fished out the opinion this morning
j with a laugh, remarking that the
question was four months late.
Americans in Sweden
Told to Consider Leaving
By the Associated Press.
STOCKHOLM. Jan. 26. —The
: United States Legation here has
advised Americans to consider re
turning home “because of the pre
vailing international situation,” it
was disclosed today.
Legation officials, however, said
that the advice was routine precau
tion and that previous reports, in
dicating urgency in view of supposed
“German troop concentrations,”
were incorrect. They attributed
j them to a “complete misunderstand
ing."
“A routine letter was sent tc
Americans here asking them to con
sider the advisability of returning
to the United States because of the
prevailing international situation,’
Legation Secretary Winthrop S
Green said.
“There was not the slightest men
tion of any troop concentration!
and no element of urgency or com
pulsion in the letter. It was simplj
a precautionary measure such a:
had been taken in various capital!
in Europe.”
Floods Sweep North Greece
ATHENS, Jan. 26 (>P).—Torrentia
rains and gales caused heavy dam
age today in Northern Greece
where hundreds of houses wen
swept away by floods and two train!
were derailed. There were 13 cas
ualties in the railway mishaps. Sev
eral bridges were destroyed.
stillness of formal attire. The new
hat is of soft felt and rather severe
lines.
Washington style experts insisted,
meanwhile, that if the President
comes out with a Homberg on top
■ M. y !:!3
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.
Topper toppled.
of white tie and tails, it will be a
breach of sartorial perfection.
Gerald D. Grosner, chairman of
the Style Commi jf the National
Association of Reta l Clothiers and
Furnishers, said the Homburg worn
with dinner clothes is according to
Hoyle, but it can t rightfully replace
j the high silk or opera hat with tails.
"Of course, well have to forgive
I---1
ANTHONY EDEN.
His Homburg won.
the President,” Mr. Grosner said,
“regardless of what he wears."
Gen. Watson, in discussing the
presidential hat transition today,
said he and Mr. Early had little dif
ficulty convincing the President their
gift was just the thing to put the
topper in the shade.
“Besides," said the general, “the
JUSTICE DOUGLAS.
Long converted.
ladies all like the Anthony Eden
hat.”
The general wears one himself.
Associate Justice William O.
Douglas, youngest member of the
Supreme Court, consistently has de
clined to wear the topper. In other
wise formal attire he appeared with
other justices for the annual official
call on President Roosevelt last Oc
tober.
The President, for years among
the “tops'’ in the stylists' balloting
for the Nation's best dressed men,
departed from fashion par excel
lence some time ago by appearing
with black cuff links 'neath his
white-tie-and-tails outfit.
This fashion miscue, he explained
the morning after, was caused by
the carelessness of one of his valets
who failed to take the white links
from a dress shirt he sent to the
laundry.,
German Envoys
Survey Allies'
Balkan Moves
Ministers Summoned
From 5 Southeast
Europe Capitals
JAPAN’S ATTENTION DIVERTED
to British as U. S. treaty expires;
government depends on Washing
ton to prevent uneasiness.
Page A-3
CANADIAN ELECTION stirring
hottest political battle in 20 years;
cabinet called to act on date for
vote, likely March 26. Page A-4
PIERCER WAR AT SEA looms in
accelerated Nazi sub production;
Germany also reported to have
launched new plane carriers.
Page A-4
By the Associaled Press.
BERLIN. Jan. 26.—Allied economic
moves in the Balkans, which Ger
many considers her natural market
and source of supplies, were under
stood today to have been discussed
at a recent conference here attended
by German ministers to five coun
tries of Southeastern Europe.
The Ministers to Hungary, Yugo
slavia, Rumania, Bulgaria and
Greece, were said to have attended
the conference, in the foreign office
last week. News of it became avail
able only today.
Rumania Most Vital Point.
For Germany the most vital point
in the Balkans at present is Ru
mania, to which she looks for a
substantial part of her oil supplies.
Particular interest had been shown
j here in what authoritative sources
i said was ' British-French anger be
| cause Rumania has decided to name
; a commissioner to co-ordinate na
. tional economy, including exports.''
High authorities in Rumania re
; cently have reported a British
; French warning to Bucharest
| i gainst any compulsion on British
and French companies operating in
Rumania to produce oil for ship
! ment to Germany.
Pressure From Germany.
This was said to have been fol
lowed by pressure by German en
voys who insisted that Rumania's
oil shipment to the Reich must
be increased, as this was "a matter
of life and death” for Germany.
The allies also are known to have
interfered with flow of raw' mater
I ials from the Balkans to Germany
by outbidding Germany.
Authoritative sources said since
the British were threatening sanc
tions against Rumania the allies
apparently expect Rumania's re
cent course to aid Germany.
"Tm: is nothing more than a
challenge of Rumania's right to
regulate her own affairs,” was the
German comment. "The Ruman
ians know what they have to do.”
Nazi-Allies Showdown
Near in Balkans
By the Associated Press.
BUCHAREST. Jan. 26 —Germany
and the allies appeared heading for
a showdown today in their battle
over Rumania's vast petroleum re
sources. with Nazi envoys reported
to have told the Rumanian gov
ernment that it must supply more
oil to the Reich.
The German envoys were said by
a high authority to have declared
(See OIL, Page A-17.)
Man Working on Tank Car
Killed by Gasoline Fumes
Fumes from a leaking tank car
filled with benzol caused the death
today of Edward A. Mulligan, 38,
foreman at the American Oil Co
plant on U. S. Highway No. 1 near
the Washington Airport.
Workman said Mr. Mulligan and
another employe were beneath the
10.000-gallon tank car trying to
stop a leak. Fumes from the es
caping gas apparently weakened the
men, who shouted for help.
B. H. Baker. 58. a loader, pulled
Mr. Mulligan and William Walton,
30 colored, 3109 Georgia avenue
N.W.. from beneath the car. After
calls had been made to Washington
and Arlington for assistance, the
Alexandria rescue squad finally was
summoned. The crew worked on
Mr. Mulligan for 35 minutes, using
an oxygen inhalator. He was pro
nounced dead by Dr. Alfred Dibbs, a
Washington physician called by
plant officials.
Mr. Mulligan lived at 1118 North
Frederick street, Arlington. Va
Walton was treated by the rescue
squad and was to be removed to the
hospital for-observation.
GENTLEMEN, I REGRET THaTN
I HAVE ONW Two LIVES TO
Give To franklin d.roosevelt
But theThird Belongs To Me And J
James Aloysius Nathan Hale Farley at Winston-Salem
Russians Continue
Furious Attacks
North of Ladoga
Soviet Is Reported to
Have Failed to Gain
After Week of Drive
BULLETIN.
WITH THE FINNISH FORCES
IN LAPLAND. Jan. 26 </P).—Un
usual Russian activity on the
highway east from Markajarvi.
where invading forces rallied
after retreating from midway
i across Finland, was seen by
Finns today as pointing to re
sumption of the general retreat.
BERNE. Switzerland. Jan. 26
More than 2.000 trained
Italian and Hungarian volunteers
to aid the Finns in their fight
against Soviet Russia were re
ported today by allied sources in
i Berne to have crossed through
France recently en route to Fin
land by way of the North Sea.
By the Associated Prr
HELSINKI. Jan. 26—Furious at
tacks against Finnish positions
northeast of Lake Ladoga were con
tinuing. the army communique said
today, but Red Army troops every
where had been thrown back.
A desperate Russian offensive in
that region has been under way for
almost a week, with the Finns re
porting no Soviet gains and the ice
and snow of the battlefield covered
with Russian dead.
An attempt to storm Fort Mantsl,
on the east coast of Lake Ladoga,
also failed, the army said, although
the Russians made repeated attacks
with artillery support.
Unremitting Pressure.
The communique, reviewing yes
terday's activities, said the Finnish
lines northeast of Lake Ladoga were
under “almost unremitting pres
sure." but attacks "all were beaten
off and our troops retained their
positions everywhere.”
"These attacks have proved very
costly for the enemy," it continued.
“Several companies were cut up and
the number of fallen can be counted
in the hundreds. In addition, cer
tain columns of altogether over 400
horses were destroyed.”
In the attacks on Fort Mantsi the
army said the Russians left "over
100 dead in front of our positions.”
6,000 Reported Trapped.
In Lapland another large Russian
force seemed to be in difficulty near
Markajarvi where, a Finnish com
munique said, an enemy attack “was
repulsed.”
This indicated an unsuccessful
counterattack on the Salla front
about 50 miles from the Russian
frontier. Retreating to Markajarvi
some days ago after abandoning a
drive intended to cut through Fin
land's narrow waist, a Red Army
(See FINLANDi Page A^3J
Hospital Plan May uo
To Congress Soon
By the Associated Press,
j An indication that Congress
! might be asked soon to act on a
program for establishing small hos
pitals in communities now lacking
hospital facilities came today from
President Roosevelt.
He said at a press conference that
he had on his desk a preliminary
report on the hospital program,
which he reported would cost about
$10,000,000. Asked whether he would
send a message to Congress soon
on the matter, the President said
he expected to get to the report
in a couple of weeks.
i Latvian Steamer Sunk
I After Leaving England
j By the Associated Press.
! RIGA, Jan. 26.—Torpedoing of
| the Latvian steamer Everene, 4,484
tons, after it left Blyth. England,
Thursday, was reported here today.
The Latvian ship Dole rescued all
but one of the crew.
VIGO, Spain. Jan. 26 (£>).—'The
Spanish steamer Castillo de Mon
: forte today landed 28 crewmen from
i an unidentified French boat said
i to have been torpedoed and sunk
! off the coast of Spain yesterday
> with a loss of eight men. Six of the
> survivors were injured.
Spee Officers Ordered
Out of Uruguay Refuge
B> the Associated Press.
MONTEVIDEO. Jan. 26.—The
Uruguayan government today or
dered several officers of the scut
tled German pocket battleship Ad
miral Graf Spee from their refuge
in the German Legation to be in
terned elsewhere in Uruguay.
The order applied also to five
members ol the crew of the Graf
Spee found aboard the German
merchantman Tacoma and to the
crew’ of that vessel, which the gov
ernment has interned as a naval
auxiliary to the German warship.
The German Legation protested
the order to intern the officers of
the Graf Spee. They had been here
since the warship took shelter in
Montevideo Harbor December 13.
after a battle with three British
cruisers.
The British cruiser Achilles, one
of the three that drove the pocket
battleship to take refuge here De
cember 13. put into Monevideo to
day for a 24-hour visit to fuel and
provision.
Dying Treaty Sets
Stage for Showdown
Of U. S. and Japan
Possibility of Embargo
Threatens Main Supply
Line Vital to War
BACKGROUND—
j On July 26, 1939. the State De
partment announced the Presi
dent's abrogation of the 1911
commercial treaty with Japan.
The step came during a consid
erable clamor for an embargo on
American shipments to Japan,
whose war with China then was
the world's main battle. Article
V of the tredty made it impos
sible to impose an embargo dur
ing the treaty's life. Senate
ratification would be required for
the proclamation of a new treaty.
By BLAIR BOLLES.
The United States’ commercial
treaty in effect with Japan since
| 1911 expires at midnight today, six
months after its abrogation by the
President—the signal, perhaps, for
the opening of a diplomatic show
down over which is to be the dom
\ inant Pacific Ocean power.
The expiration comes with no
signs that this Government will
seek a new treaty and in the midst
of a movement for an American
embargo on all commerce with
Japan. The United States is less
interested in negotiating another
Japanese trade pact than it is in
inducing Japan to abandon its im
perialistic policy on the Asian
Continent, pulling at least partly
shut the open door in China.
The embargo threat is a heavy
sword hanging over Japan at a time
when the European war has made
the United States more than ever
the chief source of Japanese mate
rials needed for the conduct of her
war in China.
chuuy oiiuns Duett uii iiauci
A Commerce Department study is
sued today in connection with the
treaty’s ena points out that Japan's
trade with Germany, United King
dom, Canada, the Scandinavian
countries and the Netherlands
Indies has declined sharply since
the European war began. The study
observes:
“In August (1939) the United
States and Japan 37.6 per cent oi
her total purchases from abroad
(outside the yen-bloc areas); in Oc
tober (after the war’s outbreak in
Europe) the American share rose
to 43.7 per cent, with the net value
of the imports from the United
States increasing by 21.6 per cent,
notwithstanding a 14 per cent de
cline in the exchange value of the
yen in terms of the dollar.”
The commerce developed durinf
the life of the treaty—whose abroga
tion does not mean the cessatior
of commerce—amounted in 1938 t<
$366,424,000 Until 1853 it came tc
nothing. On July 14 that year Com
modore Matthew Calbraith Perry
U. S. N., with a great flourish, undei
the support of a flotilla of nava
vessels, presented a letter fron
President Fillmore to the Prince:
Idzu and Iwami, representing thi
Emperor of ‘ Japan. It was th(
beginning of* American relation:
with the Japanese Empire, unti
(See TREATY, Page A-3.)
Mercury Will Drop
To 8 Here Tonight;
Warmer Sunday
2,000 Seek to Clear
Streets, but Job May
Require a Week
Still shivering from nipping winds
that sent the thermometer to 11
degrees at 6:30 am.—and facing a
low of about 8 degrees tonight, ac
cording to the forecaster—Washing
t.r under a bright sun today con
tinued digging its way out of what
road officicals said was the city's
worst snow since 1922
By early afternoon the mercury
rose to 20 degrees. The Weather Bu
reau. however, saw no break in the
cold before Sunday and Monday,
when slowly rising temperatures
are predicted. Fair and continued
| cold are lorecast fcr tomorrow
1U1 IV4 WUIW1 i u " ***o
Two thousand men. using three
snow plows and more than 400
trucks, toiled through the night and
early morning to clear principal
downtown streets and thorough
fares throughout the District, ac
cording to William A. Xanten. head
i of the street cleaning department.
But so tough is the job. Mr. Xanten
said that a week may be required
' before the job is finished.
“While the official snowfall was
9.5 inches, don’t forget that the
| strong winds blew the snow into
| drifts in the streets, frequently 18
inches dpep.' said the street clean
ing chief. In addition to special
night crews, a regular day street
cleaning shift of 500 men also is
at work on the streets. Mr. Xanten
said.
Today's temperature was more
than 2 degrees short of the 8.3 low
registered twice earlier in the
month.
Suffers From Frostbite.
No new deaths due to exposure
were reported here, but Montgomery
County iMd.) police last night found
Prudence Bonds. 38. colored, of 5
Naylor court, Washington, in semi
conscious condition in the snow on
Seven Locks road near River road
in Bethesda last night, suffering
from frostbite. The Bethesda Res
cue Squad took him to the office of
Dr. E. G. Bauersfeld and later to
Gallinger Hospital, where physicians
said Bonds' legs may have to be
amputated.
At Frederick. Md.. the sudden
death of Police Lt. Charles S. Blu
menhauer, 44. stricken while shov
eling snow from his sidewalk was
attributed to heart attack.
Skating Is Curtailed.
Deep snowdrifts made sledding im
possible in many customary runways
in the District, and skating was
allowed today on only a small por
tion of the Lincoln Memorial Re
flecting Pool. No skating was to be
allowed after dark. National Capital
Parks officials said, because of thin,
snow-covered ice spots that might
be dangerous.
Baltimore Harbor Engineer Fred
M. Kipp today warned all vessels
to avoid Upper Chesapeake Bay
because of heavy ice. Mr. Kipp re
ported word from Capt. Leon Gorss
of the ice-breaker Annapolis that
“the worst ice conditions of the
winter" prevailed in the upper bay.
New records set in nearby States
included an all-time low of 16 de
grees below zero at Farmville, Va„
and a 24-inch snow in the vicinity
of Crewe, Appomattox. Cumberland
and Keysville, Va.
Difficulty with the season’s worst
storm was reported from many sec
(See WEATHER, Page A-5.)
British Power Station
Is Wrecked by Blast
Bj the Associated Press.
LONDON Jan 26.—A terrific ex
plosion at the power station at
Irlam, Lancashire, today cut off
power to the townships of Irlam and
1 Cadishead. Officials said they had
1 no suspicion of sabotage.
The entire roof of the building, 60
by 45 feet was blown away by the
blast, and debris blocked a nearby
railway Fire followed the explo
sion. No casualties were reported.
Power to the Lancashire Steel
Corp plant, one of England's largest
was shut off indefinitely.
| Police said the explosion may have
1 been caused by faiilty electrical ap
paratus.
Blue Plains Like
Old Prison, Says
Mrs. Roosevelt
Far Below Decent
Standards, She Says
After Surprise Visit
Following an unannounced per
sonal inspection trip which she
made today through the District's
Home for Aged at Blue Plains, D. C.,
Mrs. Roosevelt declared the institu
tion was “far below the standards
of decency" and like "the old type
of prison 20 or 30 years ago, where
inmates were herded together.”
Mrs. Roosevelt, who made the
trip accompanied by Mrs. Henry
Morgenthau. said she found the in
stitution far below' decent standards
both as to the plant itself and in
appropriations Congress had allowed
for upkeep and for “limited" per
sonnel.
Following the inspection tour,
Mrs. Roosevelt authorized the fol
lowing statement:
“In line with my point of view
that Washington institutions should
be models which people of other
communities could visit in order to
get standards by which to gauge
what they are doing at home, I was
tremendously disappointed in the
Blue Plains Home for the Aged.
It seems to me far below standards
of decency, both in the plant itself
and in the appropriation which
Congress allow's for upkeep and in'
limited personnel.
"The establishment seems to me
to be run on extremely low stand
q
Program Criticized.
“The plumbing seems to be totally
inadequate, and also the kitchen.
Personnel also is inadequate and
the program does not differentiate
between types of individuals in or
der to give them variety of treat
ment. This was particularly de
pressing.
“I also was particularly shocked
to find young people there, because
the Home seems to be used as a con
valescent institution for certain
indigent cases whom Gallinger and
other local hospitals could no longer
care for.
“The only thing I could think of
as I went through this institution
was that it was like the old type of
prison 20 or 30 years ago. where in
mates were herded together.
"I went to Blue Plains because I
have been visiting various institu
! tions and I had a letter from an in
i dividual who had visited this home
| for the aged, asking if I would not
| go there.".
Inspection a Surprise.
The White House car which took
Mrs Roosevelt and Mrs. Morgen
thau to the institution became
stalled in the snow and they had
to walk a distance and enter the
place by the back door. While
the trip was a surprise inspection,
Mrs. Roosevelt went promptly to
i the office of the superintendent of
'■ the home. Frank B. Haskell, and
i told him she wished to see the
facilities.
Mrs. Roosevelt was surprised to
find the institution was caring for
some 700 patients. She was in
formed the institution was estab
lished in 1907. when there were but
230 patients, and that the population
had been increasing at about the
rate of 10 per cent a year.
Patients were having their mid
day meal when the White House
party arrived. The meal included
fried fish, mashed turnips, dried
lima beans, white bread, butter and
coffee.
Mrs. Roosevelt inspected virtually
the entire plant, except that she
was not taken to rooms where were
a number of patients who have
cancer.
Two Men Found Dead
In Gas-Filled Room
j Two young men. one tentatively
| identified as Hubert Stephens Pate,
I were found dead shortly after noon
| today in their gas-filled room on the
! third floor of a boarding house at
j 711 Fifth street N.W.
The two, about 26 or 27 years old,
j had been dead for several hours,
according to Sergt. R. R. Raymes
I of No. 1 rescue squad. Death
| apparently was due to an accident.
| A rubber tube leading to a two
burner stove had been knocked free
from the wall connection.
Investigators believed one of the
men might have stumbled over the
tube during the night, pulling it
loose.
Other occupants of the residence
smelled escaping gas and called po
lice, who had to force a lock on the
door to enter.
A social security card found on
one of the men bore the name of
“Hubert Stephens Pate.” Authori
ties this afternoon sought further
information of the two men.
Cumberland Mayor
Calls W. P. A. 'Rotten'
CUMBERLAND. Md.. Jan. 26 (TP).
—The W. P. A. was lambasted yes
terday by Mayor Harry Irvine as
“one of the worst things ever
started.”
“Things would have worked out
without it. The system is rotten,
gentlemen.” he told City Council and
the Executive Committee of the Al
legany County Taxpayers’ Associa
tion.
Mayor Irvine asserted many States
and cities have robbed themselves
“to get something for nothing from
the Federal Government,” and de
clared some of Cumberland's trou
bles are fault of some community
leaders.
"Deserving men can’t get a look
in” on the W. P. A. he continued.
“There should be Cumberland men
working on the Savage River Dam.
They are short of skilled labor, but
send to Frederick to get black
smiths. Ypu can't get on if your
children have jobs, or if you happen
to own property.
Summary of Today's Star
Page. Page.
Amusements, Obituary.. A-12
B-14-15 Radio .... B-15
Comics B-18-19 Society_ B-3
Editorials A-8 Sports A-18-19
Finance A-15 Woman’s Page,
Lost, Found B-15 B-10
Foreign
Reds continue furious attacks north
of Lake Ladoga. Page A-l
Untrained men sent against Finns,
say Red prisoners. Page A-2
British incident takes Japan's atten
tion off U. S. treaty. Page A-3
Fiercer sea war looms in Nazi sub
production. Page A-4
Canadian election stirring hottest
battle in 20 years. Page A-4
Sweden enters market for American
war supplies. Page A-5
National
City of Flint due off Baltimore quar
antine station tonight. Page A-2
Congressional economy cuts $127,
800.000 from 4 bills. Page A-2
Civil liberties group probes employ
er associations. Page A-2
Washington and Nearby.
Mrs. Roosevelt criticizes Blue Plains
conditions. Page A-l
Four firemen overcome in fire at
printing ink firm. Page A-5
Virginia bill to tax U. S. and D. C
workers studied. Page A-2
Editorial and Comment
This and That. Page A-l
Answers to Questions. Page A-l
Letters to The Star. Page A-l
David Lawrence. Page A-!
Alsop and Kintner. Page A-!
Frederic William Wile. Page A-!
Jay Franklin. Page A-!
Charles G. Ross. Page A-l
Miscellany
Vital Statistics. Page A-l
Service Orders. Page B-l
City News in Brief. Page B-l
Nature’s Children. Page B-l
Girl at the Front. Page B-l
Bedtime Story. PageB-ll
Cross-word Puzzle. Page B-ll
Letter-Out. Page B-ll
Winning Contract. Page B-ll
Uncle Ray’s Corner. PageB-ll